People still vulnerable even after both vaccinations

Those people who have been vaccinated with both the doses are still susceptible to get infected or succumb to virus until two weeks, the Health Ministry said today.

Formulate mechanism to prevent Covid patients inconvenienced in Hospitals: President tells officials

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the Health Minister and health authorities to formulate a mechanism to prevent Covid patients from being inconvenienced in Hospitals.

Adopt proper procedure when arresting protesters: Anura

National Peoples’ Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who raised concerns over the arrest of protesters by the policemen in civvies, today urged the Government to adopt a proper procedure when making the arrests.

Harin self isolates after meeting Ranjan

SJB MP Harin Fernando said he will self isolate as he met Ranjan Ramanayake when he was brought to his relatives funeral earlier this week.

Ranjan tests COVID-19 positive

Imprisoned former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is in remand at the Angunukolapelessa Prison tested positive with COVID-19.

Police told to remain calm even if protesting teachers attack them: Minister

Police have been instructed to remain calm even if the protesting teachers acted violently and attacked the police, following a special order given by the President, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today.

Teachers, principals urged to call off protests

Several professional bodies and political parties have pleaded the teachers and principals who are currently engaged in a massive protest campaign, to suspend all their protests for the sake of safety and health of the nation in the middle of this dreaded pandemic.

No lockdown, President decides

Following a crucial discussion held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country, it has been decided not to impose a countrywide lockdown but some certain restrictions will be imposed, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

School teacher dies in Badulla while receiving treatment

A school teacher who was working for well-known Tamil girls’ school in Badulla died this morning while receiving treatment for COVID-19 at General Hospital in Badulla, Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa said.

Crucial meeting underway with President to discuss COVID-19 situation

A special meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss the current COVID-19 situation is currently underway with key stakeholders, sources said.

Three more MPs test Covid positive

Three more MPs have tested COVID 19 positive, Serjeant-at- Arms Narendra Fernando said today.

SL faces medical crisis

As COVID19 patients has seen a sudden spike across Sri Lanka in recent days, all major hospitals especially in the Western Province have run out of beds, forcing parties to lie on floors and even corridors, finding whatever space they can.

Production, distribution, sale of sachets less than 20 grams will be discontinued

The companies have taken steps to halt production and distribution of sachets (non-food and pharmaceutical) as well as selling of them, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) informed the Environment Minister.

SL receives another 2mn doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China

Sri Lanka has today received two million doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China freighted by two SriLankan Airlines aircraft, the airport duty manager said.

Second dose Astra-Zeneca rollout today at Police Field Force HQ

Those who have not yet received the second COVISHIELD Astra-Zeneca vaccine, can now visit the Police Field Force Headquarters in Bambalapitiya today in order to get their vaccines.

Student activists with several others arrested for engaging in protests

Police have arrested a group student activists including the convener of the Inter-University Student’s Federation Wasantha Mudalige and the Chairman of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Students’ Federation Amila Sandeepa in connection with the series of protests during the last few days.

Meeting with Prez. today to discuss Covid situation: Shavendra

A crucial meeting will take place today (Friday) chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss the current developments related to the coronavirus in the country.

As health crisis unfolds, non-severe COVID-19 patients told to stay home

As a severe health crisis unfolds in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry yesterday said that those who had tested positive for COVID-19 but were showing non severe symptoms should stay home and seek treatment.

MP Gevidu Cumaratunga urges teachers to care for public health first

Government MP Gevidu Cumaratunga who spearheads the civil society movement called ‘Yuthukama organization’ urged teachers who are on trade union action to be mindful of the challenging pandemic situation of the country and refrain from mass demonstrations in the greater good of public health.

Issuing passports limited after several staffers test COVID-19 positive

Issuing passports under the normal service has been temporarily suspended after several staff members of the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head office in Battaramulla have tested positive for COVID-19.

75% of Delta variant cases detected in last week of July from Colombo

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been found to be spreading ultrafast in the Colombo area, medical experts pointed out.

Travel restrictions only solution to contain COVID: SLMA

The imposition of travel restrictions would be the only solution to contain COVID-19 in short term, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said.

94 COVID-19 deaths reported: Death toll surges to 4,821

A total of 94 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (04) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 4,821.

SC suspends the operation of Deradicalization Regulations

The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalization from holding violent extremist religious ideology) Regulations No. 01 of 2021, which was published by way of a gazette notification on 12 March, 2021.

Decision to ban chemical fertilizers remains unchanged: Govt.

The government’s policy to ban the use of chemical fertilizers remains unchanged, Lalith Weeratunga, Principal Advisor to the President stressed.

Special mechanism on recalling public servants for duty: Jayasumana

Special mechanism would be introduced to recalling of pregnant mothers and public servants for duty, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Channa Jayasumana said today.

Programme to formulate basic guidelines on proper disposal of face masks: Environment Ministry

A programme will be formulated with a series of guidelines for the proper disposal of face masks used to protect against Covid-19, the Environment Ministry said.

New guidelines, instructions in the offing to restrict pregnant mothers recalling for duty: Pavithra

Steps were eing taken to issue a set of new guidelines and instructions to restrict pregnant mothers being recalled for duty, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today.

WHO calls for halting COVID-19 vaccine boosters in favor of unvaccinated

The World Health Organization is calling for a halt on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September, its head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday, as the gap between vaccinations in wealthy and poor countries widens.

Petition against Rambewa PS Chairman: Counsel alleges Governor disregarded inquiry report

It was revealed in Court of Appeal that the Governor of North Central Province has reinstated the Chairman of Rambewa Pradeshiya Sabha, disregarding an inquiry report compiled by a retired High Court Judge, in which the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman found guilty for 14 charges out of 15.